Adjustable axis work support

ABSTRACT

An adjustable-axis work support, by which a work object may be selectively positioned with respect to each of two angularly related axes of rotation, and usefully adapted also to an associated movable base to provide an overall assembly having even more than two axes of work-object positioning or adjustment.

[ 1 Oct. 24, 1972 United States Patent Peale .74/479 .269/59 X Shrader Miller Freer.........................248/346 350/86 269/57 X ....269/6l X a T m R a mm w .2

40 36 K m R ,d O l W w m 5 mm X C 5 A n 2 m .m v t. 3 L 0 fl s B RD & 7 m

cl 0 S m N U t. J m d M D v M P A h F A ll 4 2 2 1! 5 7 2 2 [.1

Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Attorney-Robert A. Spray 269/321 LU .B23q 1/18, B25b l/22, B23q 5/54 ABSTRACT axis work support, by which a work object may be selectively positioned with respect to each An adjustable- [51] Int. [58] Field of Search..........269/5l, 57, 59, 60, 61

. of two angularly related axes of rotation, and usefully References Cited adapted also to an associated movable base to provide UNITED STATES PATENTS an overall assembly having even more than two axes of work-object positioning or adjustment.

7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 2,445,016 7/1948 Bentley....................269/51X 2,643,557 6/1953 Grove..........................269/60 ADJ USTABLE' AXIS WORK SUPPORT This invention relates to holder devices for holding a work-object in various selected positions, such as for the application thereto of work effort by whatever power tool is used for the particular effort to be applied to the work object.

The invention is particularly useful in a situation in which more than one work-effort operation is to be applied to a single work object, as is desirable without rechucking or re-grasping the work-object between the various work tasks or operations. I

The above description is rather generalized and introductory; and more particular objects, concepts, and

features of the present invention will be further described in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention, reference being bad to the accompanying somewhat diagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through an adjustable-axis work support according to the present invention, portions being broken away to illustrate details otherwise hidden; and

FIG. 2 is a pictorial schematic representation of an adjustable-axis work support device, generally of the type shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in the drawings, an adjustable-axis work support device is shown as mounted upon an associated support or base 12. It will be understood that if the associated support base 12 is itself of a movable type, such as is indicated by the reference arrows 14 and 16 of FIG. 2, additional controlled movement for an associated work device will be provided. However, the base 12, and its controlled movements, form no part of the present invention, except as in combination with the present disclosure; and the base 12 and its controlled movements 14 and 16 are indicated asbeing associated with the work support 12 as background details, or as a means of providing even more work-support adjustibility in an overall device.

Thus the inventive concepts of the present invention are involved with the components of the overall device 12 as would be mounted on a base 12, as set forth below. (A work-object is indicated at "X.)

The work-support device 10 is shown as having a support bracket or support means 18, shown generally of a U-shape; and a support cradle 20, also shown as of a general U-shape, is supported upon the support bracket 18. The supporting connection of the support cradle 20 to the support bracket or means 18, of the illustrated embodiment, is set forth in detail below; but it will be preliminarily noted that the upright legs 22 of the support cradle 20 are connected respectively to the upright legs 24 of the support bracket 18 along a common axis 25. This permits the rotation of the support cradle 20 relative to the support bracket 18 as set forth in more detail below.

The left leg 22 of the support cradle 20 is shown as connected to a large gear 26 which is supported on a bearing 28 in turn supported by a shaft 30 which is itself supported by the associated leg 24 of the main support bracket 18.

The gear 26 is caused to rotate by a power means including a motor 32 whose output shaft 34 is connected to a drive gear or pinion36 which meshes with the aforesaid gear 26. The motor 32 itself is shown as secured to the upright leg 24 of the main support bracket 18, as by screws 37.

The other (right) leg 22 of the support cradle 20 is shown as keyed as by a key 38 to a hollow shaft 40 which extends through the opening 42 of a bearing 44 in the respective upright leg 24 of the main support bracket 18, that opening 42 being co-axial (along axis 25) with the bearing 28 and shaft 30 which was mentioned above as supporting the other (left) leg 22 of support cradle 20 and its gear 26.

Thus the support cradle 20 is supported for rotational movement about axis 25, in and out of the plane of the paper as FIG. 1 is presented, such rotational movement being indicated by the reference arrow 46 in FIG. 2.

The work-support means generally referred to by reference number 50, is also provided; and the worksupport means 50 is shown as rotatably mounted for rotation as indicated by the reference number 52 about the axis 54. (The plural quantity of reference lines 54 in FIG. 2 illustrates the change of the axis 54 as the work table 50 is revolved about axis 25 by the swinging adjustability of the cradle 20, those several axes 54 appearing in FIG. I as coincident lines, as the axis 54 of FIG. 1 would thereby be swung in and out of the plane of the paper by the swinging of the cradle 20 about axis 25.) v

The mounting of the work-support means 50 is shown as through bearings 56 which are themselves supported by the transverse member 58 of the cradle 20; and the rotational movement of the work-support means 50 is shown as provided by its having a large bevel gear 60 which is driven by a bevel pinion 62. The drive pinion 62 is mounted as shown on a shaft 64 which is carried in bearings 66 supported by the transverse member 58 of the cradle 20.

Power for the shaft 64 is supplied through a drive gear 70 which is accommodated by a recess 72 of the transverse cradle member 58; and the drive' gear 70 is itself shown as driven by a drive pinion 74 whose shaft 76vis concentric with the hollow shaft 40 mentioned above.

The shaft 76 is powered by a motor 78 shown in FIG. 1 as having a casing member 80 affixed as by screws 82 thereto, and it is this casing piece 80 which integrally extends (leftwardly in FIG. 1) to provide the hollow shaft 40 mentioned above.

Thus it will be seen that the work-support means 50 is itself rotatably supported (about the axis 54) with respect to the support cradle 20, but the work-support means 50 itself is connected to the cradle 20 in such a manner that the work-support means 50 partakes of the positioning movement of the support cradle 20 as that cradle 20 is positioned by the drive motor 32 and its drive elements 34, 36, and 26.

It will also be seen that the motor 78 provides means for selectively moving the work-support means 50 with respect to the support cradle 20, even though the worksupportmeans 50 does partake of positioning movement of the support cradle 20. as mentioned above.

Accordingly, the selective movement of the support cradle 20 (by motor 32) and the selective movement of the work-support means 50(by the motor 78) each are operative to move or position the work-support means 50, and are thus also operative to move or position whatever work objects X are supported by the worksupport means 50 with respect to axes at angles to one another.

Those axes, 25 and 54, are perpendicularly related to one another, regardless of whether or not the support cradle 20 has been swung in its rotational direction 46, that is, in and out of the paper as the device is presented in FIG. 1.

Moreover, it will be observed that the movement of the support cradle is rotational with respect to the support bracket or means 18 and the movement of the work-support means 50 is rotational with respect to the said cradle 20, those two axes of rotation being perpendicular, regardless of the position of either the support cradle 20 or the work-support means 50 with respect to the main support bracket 18.

It will be particularly noted that the concepts providea novel and advantageous work-support adjustability. That is, the shaft 76 which delivers the drive output of the second motor 78 is concentric to the hollow shaft 40 and also with the axis of rotational support of the support cradle 20 by the main support bracket 18. Moreover, the motor 78 islfixed to the support cradle 20 so that the rotation of the motor 78 is itself the same as that of the support cradle 20.

Accordingly, the overall arrangement is such that the movement of the support cradle 20 is caused by the first drive motor 32'rotates the support cradle 20 and the second motor 78 in a non-relatively rotating manner; and this relative non-rotation of the second drive motor 78 and the support cradle 20, during actuation by the first drive motor 32, is operative to cause the movement of the said work-support means 50 to be merely that of the rotational movement of the support cradle 20 about the axis 25 of the support cradle 20 itself, and yet it accommodates a selective adjustability drive by the second motor 78, transmitting its drive force through the shaft 76 and pinion 74 concentric with thataxis 25 of the support cradle 20, to achieve a relative rotation of the work-support means 50 with respect to the support cradle 20.

It will be observed, noting FIG. 1, that the work-object X is mountable onto the work-support means 50 from either the top or the bottom of the work-support means 50. That is, as indicated by FIG. 1, the transverse member 58 of the support cradle 20 is provided with a large central opening 84, the large gear 60 of the work-support means 50 is similarly provided with a large central opening 86, and the upper plate 88 of the work-support means 50 (shown as affixed to the gear 60 as by screws 90) likewise has a large central opening 92.

A particular advantage of the invention concepts is that the device is so easily utilizable in an automatic control arrangement, including that of computer programming, by which the work object X may be made to sequentially assume whatever positions are desired for any work-operations to be performed onthe work. Particularly in conjunction with a sequentially programmed or controlled movable table 12 and with a sequentially programmed or controlled machine tool or tools (not shown), a wide variety of work operations may be performed, automatically, on many different portions of a work object, all without re-checking or regripping of the work, and without other costs or expenses of extra handling, extra storing, etc.

A further advantage is that the fixed connection of the motor 78 to the cradle 20, with the motor output shaft axis 76 concentric with the axis 25 of the movable support of the cradle 50, not only reduces the effort of moving the components but also maintains proper alignment and proper mesh of the gears 74 and 70.

Accordingly, it will thus be seen from-the foregoing description of the invention according to this illustrative embodiment, together with the accompanying drawings, that the present invention provides a new and useful adjustable axis work-support means, having desired advantages and characteristics, accomplishing its intended objects, including those hereinbefore pointed out and others which are inherent in the invention.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention; accordingly, the invention is not limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described or shown.

I claim:

1. An adjustable axis work-holder, comprising: support means (18);

a support cradle (20) operatively supported by the support means (18) along an axis (25); first moving means (32) for selectively moving said support cradle (20) with respect to the said support axis (25) of the support cradle (20); work-support means (50) rotatably supported with respect to said support cradle (20), but itself supported by said support cradle (20) and partaking of positioning movement of said support cradle second moving means (78) for selectively moving said work-support means (50) with respect to said support cradle (20) even though said work-support means (50) partakes of positioning movement of said support cradle (20); the said selective movement about the axis (25) of the said support cradle (20) which effects a corresponding positioning movement of the worksupport means (50), and the said selective movement of the said work-support means (50), being operative to move or position the work-support means (50) and thus also to move or position work object (X) supported vby the work-support means (50) with respect to axes (25, 54) at angles to one another;

in a combination in which the second moving means (78) imparts selective movement to the said worksupport means (50) by a shaft (76) whose axis is parallel and concentric with the axis (25) of relatively rotational support of said support cradle (29) by said first-named support means (18); in which the said second moving means (7 8) includes a positioning means (38) fixed to said support cradle (20) and the output axis of the second moving means (78) is parallel and concentric both with said shaft (78) and with the axis (25 of relatively rotational support of said support cradle (20) by said first-named support means (18); the arrangement being such that cradle (20) movement caused by the said first moving means (32) rotates said cradle (20) and the second moving means (78) in a non-relatively rotating manner, the relative non-rotation of the said second movingmeans (78) and the said support cradle during such actuation of the cradle (20) about its axis being operative to cause the movement of the said work-support means (50) to be merely that of the rotational movement of the support cradle (20) about the said cradle support axis (25), yet accommodating a transmission of positioning actuation of the work-support means (50) by said second moving means (78) transmitted concentric with that axis (25) to effect a relative rotation of the work-support means (50) with respect to said support cradle (20).

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the operative positioning movement of the work-support means (50) and thus also of work objects (X) supported thereby, as achieved by the said two moving means (32, 78), is with respect to perpendicularly related axes (25, 54).

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the operative positioning movement of the work-support means (50) and thus also of work objects (X) supported thereby, as achieved by the said two moving means (32, 78), is with respect to angularly related axes (25, 54) about which the said movements are respectively rotational movements.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the movement of the said support cradle (20) is rotational with respect to the support means (18), and the movement of said work-support means (50) is rotational with respect to the said cradle (20).

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 in a combination in which the two axes (25, 54) of rotation are per- I pendicular.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 4 in a combination in which the two axes (25, 54) of rotation are perpendicular, regardless of the position of either the said support cradle (20) or the said work-support means (50) with respect to the first-mentioned support means l8 7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which there is also provided a movable base (12) which operatively supports the said first-named support means (18), the movability of the said base (12) being added to by the said movability of the support cradle (20) with respect to the first-named support means (18) and the movability of the work-support means (50) with respect to the support cradle (20) to achieve a work holder adjustable on more than two axes.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION I Patent'No. 3,700,228 v Dated October 24, 1972 In'ventofls) Robert E. Peale I It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 2, "holder" should read work-holder Column 3, line 25, "is" should read as Column 4,-- line, v 21, "I Claimz" should read WHA'I' IS CLAIMED IS:

' Signed and sealed this 20th day of 'March 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. I 7 ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer v Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 (1069) USCOM M-DC 60376-P69 I 9 lLS. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I959 0-366-334, 

1. An adjustable axis work-holder, comprising: support means (18); a support cradle (20) operatively supported by the support means (18) along an axis (25); first moving means (32) for selectively moving said support cradle (20) with respect to the said support axis (25) of the support cradle (20); work-support means (50) rotatably supported with respect to said support cradle (20), but itself supported by said support cradle (20) and partaking of positioning movement of said support cradle (20); second moving means (78) for selectively moving said worksupport means (50) with respect to said support cradle (20) even though said work-support means (50) partakes of positioning movement of said support cradle (20); the said selective movement about the axis (25) of the said support cradle (20) which effects a corresponding positioning movement of the work-support means (50), and the said selective movement of the said work-support means (50), being operative to move or position the work-support means (50) and thus also to move or position work object (''''X'''') supported by the worksupport means (50) with respect to axes (25, 54) at angles to one another; in a combination in which the second moving means (78) imparts selective movement to the said work-support means (50) by a shaft (76) whose axis is parallel and concentric with the axis (25) of relatively rotational support of said support cradle (20) by said first-named support means (18); in which the said second moving means (78) includes a positioning means (38) fixed to said support cradle (20) and the output axis of the second moving means (78) is parallel and concentric both with said shaft (78) and with the axis (25) of relatively rotational support of said support cradle (20) by said first-named support means (18); the arrangement being such that cradle (20) movement caused by the said first moving means (32) rotates said cradle (20) and the second moving means (78) in a non-relatively rotating manner, the relative non-rotation of the said second moving means (78) and the said support cradle (20) during such actuation of the cradle (20) about its axis (25) being operative to cause the movement of the said work-support means (50) to be merely that of the rotational movement of the support cradle (20) about the said cradle support axis (25), yet accommodating a transmission of positioning actuation of the work-support means (50) by said second moving means (78) transmitted concentric with that axis (25) to effect a relative rotation of the work-support means (50) with respect to said support cradle (20).
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the operative positioning movement of the work-support means (50) and thus also of work objects (''''X'''') supported thereby, as achieved by the said two moving means (32, 78), is with respect to perpendicularly related axes (25, 54).
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the operative positioning movement of the work-support means (50) and thus also of work objects (''''X'''') supported thereby, as achieved by the said two moving means (32, 78), is with respect to angularly related axes (25, 54) about which the said movements are respectively rotational movements.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which the movement of the said support cradle (20) is rotational with respect to the support means (18), and the movement of said work-support means (50) is rotational with respect to the said cradle (20).
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 in a combination in which the two axes (25, 54) of rotation are perpendicular.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 4 in a combination in which the two axes (25, 54) of rotation are perpendicular, regardless of the position of either the said support cradle (20) or the said work-support means (50) with respect to the first-mentioned support means (18).
 7. The invention as set forth in claim 1 in a combination in which there is also provided a movable base (12) which operatively supports the said first-named supporT means (18), the movability of the said base (12) being added to by the said movability of the support cradle (20) with respect to the first-named support means (18) and the movability of the work-support means (50) with respect to the support cradle (20) to achieve a work holder adjustable on more than two axes. 